Chapter Sixteen: Changing Fate

The crew-cut security guard punched and kicked until Wei Xie lay on the ground, his whole body wracked with pain, his face swollen beyond recognition, with barely enough strength left to breathe. Only then did the beating stop. Meanwhile, Lin Meimei sat on the floor, her ankle dislocated so she couldn't stand, but not a single soul stepped forward to help her up.

Having witnessed the previous violence of Hong Chen, the crowd's reaction this time was less intense; they simply dared not approach. A few women showed some sympathy, but they looked on coldly, not sparing Wei Xie the least bit of compassion.

To set up and falsely accuse someone as a pervert, then gang up to beat him—such despicable acts were revolting. What was even more telling was that the victim of this conspiracy and assault was the newly appointed director.

Malicious and audacious, he was only getting what he deserved—retribution was inevitable.

"Director Xu, the company has decided to terminate Wei Xie and require him to pay you five hundred thousand in compensation for psychological and reputational damages within a week. The company will be responsible for pursuing this payment. If you suffered any injuries previously, the company will, depending on the circumstances, continue to hold Wei Xie accountable. Do these arrangements satisfy you?"

Secretary Qiu approached Xu Le, her expression sincere and apologetic. Numbly, Xu Le nodded, his mind struggling to catch up. Initially, he had only hoped for Wei Xie to lose his job, never imagining Wei Xie would be beaten within an inch of his life and forced to compensate him as well. Justice was not only served, but served in spades. Most astonishing of all—had he really become the director?

Xu Le nodded. Secretary Qiu, catching a glimpse of Hong Chen showing no sign of dissatisfaction, felt reassured. She then walked over to Lin Meimei, looking down at her and spoke coldly, "I don't care if you were the mastermind or an accomplice. The preliminary cooperation agreement between Pan-American Advertising and Hongcheng Group is hereby voided, and there will be no further collaborations in the future. Furthermore, within a week, you must pay Director Xu three hundred thousand in compensation. You can refuse, but you’ll bear the consequences."

Though Secretary Qiu’s tone was not harsh, her words left no room for objection. Lin Meimei, usually so sharp-tongued and brash, was, in the face of real trouble, even more timid than most women. With Wei Xie's fate as a warning before her eyes, she was already flustered, her face a picture of panic, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Director Xu, those four weren’t the ringleaders, but they did attack you. There needs to be an explanation. Later, I’ll have them each break an arm. Will that suffice?" A tall security guard who had come with the crew-cut guard spoke quietly to Xu Le.

Xu Le’s eye twitched. Was it really necessary to be so ruthless? In truth, though the four had ganged up on him, they had shown restraint, inflicting only superficial wounds, not injuring his bones or causing internal harm.

In the end, Xu Le relented, shaking his head. "Forget it."

The tall guard hesitated, struggling for a moment, then finally nodded and said, "Thank you for your leniency, Director Xu. Those two will be sent to the medical room, and later all four will come to apologize to you."

With that, the matter came to an end. Before everyone dispersed, Hong Chen had already slipped away, sending Xu Le a message and, once outside the office building, making a call to Gao Tianxiong.

About ten minutes later, Xu Le came out, looking utterly bewildered, at a loss for words. Hong Chen brought him into the car, started the engine, and only then said leisurely, "Let me be straight with you. My classmate is the president’s son. You are now the genuine director of the Investment Promotion Department. However, since you don’t have experience, the president will appoint a deputy director to replace Wei Xie and assist you with daily work. You officially start tomorrow. Any questions?"

Xu Le sat in stunned silence for a full ten seconds before finally bursting out, "Damn, you had connections like that? You’ve been hiding it deep!"

Hong Chen just smiled, then changed the subject, "Now it’s your turn to come clean—how far have things gone with that female singer? You were dodging the question before. Don’t tell me you just got her and then someone else snatched her away?"

"Snatch your sister," Xu Le retorted, exasperated, then leaned back in his seat, pondering for a moment before suddenly grinning foolishly. "Almost there, almost there. We’re still just texting, but she’s a student at Qing University, lives on campus. I’ve asked her out for the weekend, and she agreed."

Hong Chen glanced at his face, filled with hope and longing for the future, and said irritably, "Don’t get all lovesick in my car—it’s nauseating. Now you’re thriving in both love and career. Later, when we’re at the controls, dinner’s on you."

"No problem," Xu Le agreed readily. He turned to look out the window. Though it was only three in the afternoon, and the sun was far from setting, in Xu Le’s eyes, it was already a golden dusk.

...

After dealing with the honey trap incident, Secretary Qiu returned to the president’s office to report to Gao Tianxiong.

Gao Tianxiong, chewing on a cigarette, leaned back in his executive chair, listening patiently. When she finished, he nodded slightly and said, "You did very well today."

She had been Gao Tianxiong’s secretary for nearly two years, and the phrase "very well" was praise she had only heard from him three times. The first was after the opening of the second Paradise Bar, when a new security guard single-handedly subdued nine troublemakers. That guard was promoted three ranks in succession, becoming deputy manager of security, and now served as the group’s security manager—the very same Manager Luo who had disciplined Wei Xie earlier.

The second time was for the former manager of Paradise Bar No. 1, who achieved over ten million in revenue for three consecutive months. That manager was now a vice president of the group.

Now was the third time.

For no reason at all, Secretary Qiu’s heart beat a little faster. She forced herself to remain calm and smiled, "Thank you, President Gao."

Gao Tianxiong chuckled, "Thank me for what?" Without waiting for her reply, he continued, "The group is newly established and in need of talent. I’m arranging for you to join the Comprehensive Management Department as deputy director."

Deputy director—a full three ranks above her current position, and in the so-called "King of Departments," the Comprehensive Management Department. Any assistant manager or higher there was either a close confidant of Gao Tianxiong or someone in whom he placed great trust.

Fortune had arrived so suddenly that Secretary Qiu was left dazed, at a loss for what to do. Even her tongue felt clumsy. "President Gao, I... I only graduated four years ago, and I’ve been with the company less than two years. I... I’m worried..."

Gao Tianxiong, shrewd as ever, saw through her state at a glance and waved his hand. "Enough, it’s settled. I’ll have HR hire another secretary for me. In two weeks, you’ll transfer to the Comprehensive Management Department. Do well—the future of Hongcheng Group will not be limited to just Qing City."

Secretary Qiu took a deep breath and nodded firmly. "I won’t let you down, President Gao."

After Secretary Qiu left, Gao Tianxiong smiled inexplicably, shaking his head and murmuring, "The twists of fate are truly strange and unpredictable."

Wei Xie was not one of Gao Tianxiong’s confidants, but the president recognized his abilities and believed he had a strong chance of rising into senior management. Yet today, a single bad decision landed him in trouble with the wrong people. Even if his career wasn’t completely destroyed, his fate had certainly taken a drastic downward turn.

Conversely, Secretary Qiu, with her ordinary family background and ability that, while adequate, still fell short of true professional excellence, had not been earmarked for fast-track advancement. But today, she made a correct and decisive choice, standing firmly on the right side. As Hong Chen said over the phone, "Secretary Qiu stood up to the pressure at a critical moment—she’s worth developing as a reserve talent."

From now on, if not soaring to the very top, at least the course of her once ordinary life had been fundamentally altered.

...

After leaving Hongcheng Group, Hong Chen and Xu Le first went to an internet café, played games until seven, then found a buffet restaurant with pleasant ambiance and good food. Barely an hour into their meal, Hong Chen received a call from his mother-in-law. She gave no reason, simply ordered him to come home immediately.

Hong Chen didn’t take it seriously; he ate his fill before hitting the road. On the way, he took a detour to drop Xu Le off, not arriving home until nearly nine.

Hong Chen opened the door with his key and, glancing up, saw a circle of people gathered around the tea table in the living room. His brow furrowed.

His father-in-law, mother-in-law, wife, and sister-in-law were all present, as were his second uncle and cousin—Lin Yuanshan and Lin Huihuang—as well as his third aunt and her daughter, Lin Shujie and Lin Meimei.

"So, you finally decided to come home. I called you at eight—do you know what time it is now? Making us all wait for you—are you growing so arrogant your tail’s pointed at the sky?" Shen Huifang glared at Hong Chen, her tone anything but pleasant.

"Why were you waiting for me?" Hong Chen was baffled.

"Hong Chen, why did you harm Meimei at Hongcheng Group this afternoon? If you don’t give me a satisfactory explanation, I won’t let this go!" Lin Shujie demanded, her manner overbearing, her eyes conveying that if he didn’t answer to her satisfaction, she’d devour him on the spot.